Chapter I: Preface

THE following notes have been used by the writer in conducting Mothers’ Meetings amongst the poorer classes, and it has been suggested that they may be useful to other ladies engaged in a similar work.

With this view, she has ventured to publish them in the present concise form.

It will be seen that they are merely skeletons, and will require to be filled up by each person who makes use of them. Thus it will be necessary to _turn to the texts referred to_, and to enlarge on each head as familiarly as possible, illustrating it by simple, and telling facts.

If this is done, and the subjects well studied, it will often be found, that, although each subject has been generally compressed into one chapter, it is better to take one, two, or three heads, as affording sufficient matter for the conversation of a single evening, rather than too hastily to go over the whole section.

It will be a cause for thankfulness, if these short notes may be the means of leading any mothers to search the Scriptures more diligently with reference to their own especial duties.

Whether rich or poor—educated or uneducated—mothers all need, in the great essentials, the _same_ help, the _same_ warnings, the _same_ encouragements. They want to be comforted, both in duty and trial, by the _same_ word of promise, and to ‘go boldly to the _same_ throne of grace to obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.’ It is earnestly desired that the study of the following pages, which are, in fact, only a compilation of Scripture, may be the means of leading many to listen more closely to _His_ voice, who knows so well the mother’s heart, the mother’s sins, the mother’s sorrows, and the mother’s need.